Romans 3:2
Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
Romans 3:2 in other translations
| BSB | Much in every way. First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God. |
|---|---|
| WEB | Much in every way! Because first of all, they were entrusted with the revelations of God. |
| ASV | Much every way: first of all, that they were intrusted with the oracles of God. |
| YLT | much in every way; for first, indeed, that they were intrusted with the oracles of God; |
| DARBY | Much every way: and first, indeed, that to them were entrusted the oracles of God. |
| BBE | Much in every way: first of all because the words of God were given to them. |
| Webster | Much every way: chiefly, because that to them were committed the oracles of God. |
What does Romans 3:2 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 3:1-2
Ro 3:1-8. Jewish Objections Answered. 1-2. What advantage then hath the Jew?--that is, "If the final judgment will turn solely on the state of the heart, and this may be as good in the Gentile without, as in the Jew within, the sacred enclosure of God's covenant, what better are we Jews for all our advantages?" Answer:
Barnes' Notes
Chiefly. That is, this is the principal advantage, and one including all others. The main benefit of being a Jew is to possess the sacred Scriptures, and their instructions.
Unto them were committed. Or were entrusted, were confided. The word translated "were committed," is that which is commonly employed to express faith or confidence, and it implied confidence in them on the part of God in entrusting his oracles to them; a confidence which was not misplaced, for no people ever guarded a sacred trust or deposit with more fidelity, than the Jews did the sacred Scriptures.
The oracles. The word oracle among the heathen meant, properly, the answer or response of a god, or of some priest supposed to be inspired, to an inquiry of importance, usually expressed in a brief, sententious way, and often with great ambiguity. The place from which such a response was usually obtained was also called an oracle, as the oracle at Delphi, etc. These oracles were frequent among the heathen, and affairs of great importance were usually submitted to them. The word rendered oracles occurs in the New Testament but four times, Acts 7:38, Heb 5:12, 1Pet 4:11; Rom 3:2. It is evidently here used to denote the Scriptures, as being that which was spoken by God, and particularly perhaps the Divine promises. To possess these was, of course, an eminent privilege, and included all others, as they instructed them in their duty, and were their guide in everything that pertained to them in this life and the life to come. They contained, besides, many precious promises respecting the future dignity of the nation ill reference to the Messiah. No higher favour can be conferred on a people than to be put in possession of the sacred Scriptures. And this fact should excite us to gratitude, and lead us to endeavour to extend them also to other nations. Comp. De 4:7,8, Ps 147:19,20.
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Romans 3:1-8
The law could not save in or from sins, yet it gave the Jews advantages for obtaining salvation. Their stated ordinances, education in the knowledge of the true God and his service, and many favours shown to the children of Abraham, all were means of grace, and doubtless were made useful to the conversion of many. But especially the Scriptures were committed to them. Enjoyment of God's word and ordinances, is the…
Romans 3:2 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Romans 3:2
- Romans 9:4
Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
- Acts 7:38
This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
- Psalms 147:19-20
He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the Lord.
- Nehemiah 9:13-14
Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments: And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant:
- 1 Corinthians 9:17
For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
- Hebrews 5:12
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
- 1 Peter 4:11
If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
- Ezekiel 20:11-12
And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them. Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.
- Psalms 78:4-7
We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:
- 2 Timothy 3:15-17
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
- Romans 11:15-23
For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. …
- 2 Peter 1:19-21
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
3; 11:1,2,15-23,28,29
because.
2:18; 9:4; De 4:7,8; Ne 9:13,14; Ps 78:4-7; 147:19,20; Isa 8:20
Eze 20:11,12; Lu 16:29-31; Joh 5:39; 2Ti 3:15-17; 2Pe 1:19-21
Re 19:10
committed.
1Co 9:17; 2Co 5:19; Ga 2:7; 1Ti 6:20
the oracles.
1:2; Ps 119:140; Da 10:21; Ac 7:38; 2Ti 3:15,16; Heb 5:12; 1Pe 4:11
2Pe 1:20,21; Re 22:6
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- Romans 3:1
What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
- Romans 3:2
Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
- Romans 3:3
For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
Romans 3:2 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Mucho en todas maneras. Lo primero ciertamente, que la palabra de Dios les ha sido confiada. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | – Grand de toute manière, et d’abord en ce que les oracles de Dieu leur ont été confiés. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Viel, in jeder Hinsicht. Denn zuerst sind ihnen die Aussprüche Gottes anvertraut worden. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Multum per omnem modum. Primum quidem quia credita sunt illis eloquia Dei. |